This month, Earth Action had the pleasure of co-hosting a webinar with CDP, with the goal to support their reporting services members with getting prepared for the CDP Plastics Module. Drawing on our expertise in plastic and data, we loaded our presentation with tips and tricks, industry tools and recommendations of how to turn disclosure into action.
We quickly realized this presentation was brimming with helpful information, so we decided to turn this into a public guide to support companies on their plastic disclosure journey. We’re excited to share the guide more widely, with the hope that it will empower even more organizations to translate disclosure into meaningful progress.
We’re excited to share the guide more widely, with the hope that it will empower even more organizations to translate disclosure into meaningful progress.
Why now?
In 2024, more than 5,600 companies voluntarily disclosed plastics data through CDP — an impressive 90% increase from the year prior. This momentum isn’t just about compliance; it signals a readiness to tackle plastic pollution with the same rigor applied to carbon over the past two decades.
In our recent work with SAP, we’ve also mapped an increase in plastics regulation and disclosure requirements, that’s only going to be expanded with the UN Global Plastics Treaty.
But measurement can be tricky, and without links to credible targets, meaningful metrics and implementation strategies, disclosure does not necessarily lead to impact. As Nathan Cole, Head of Sustainable Business at CDP brilliantly put it “CDP believes disclosure should not be the final step but the first move toward Earth-positive action.”
What companies need are tools to connect data with action—and that’s where our guide and portfolio of solutions (like the Plastic Footprint Network, Plasteax and our team of experts) comes in.
Key insights form the guide
1. Plastic isn’t one problem—It’s many.
Plastic use, mismanagement, and leakage occur at different points along a company’s value chain. Our guide helps organizations map these flows, using detailed tools like the Plastic Footprint Network methodology and Plasteax data platform to identify where plastic enters and exits the value chain, and leaks into the environment.
2. Targets need teeth.
Setting plastic-related targets is no longer optional—it’s a cornerstone of credible sustainability strategy. But not all targets are created equal. We show how companies can move beyond generic commitments toward specific, measurable goals, grounded in science and aligned with global regulations and commitments.
3. Circularity does not always reduce pollution.
While recycling and reuse are essential, our previous work with WCBSD has shown that circularity doesn’t always mean low leakage. True progress comes from pairing circularity efforts with plastic footprinting—quantifying where plastic actually ends up and identifying strategies to meet your targets.
4. Dive into leakage.
Leakage is one of the most revealing—and actionable—metrics. Through our work with the Plastic Footprint Network (PFN)and Plasteax, we’ve identified leakage as a critical indicator of environmental harm and public health risk. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about uncovering the root causes of pollution and designing interventions that actually work.
5. Microplastics and additives are rising risks.
Microplastic emissions and chemical additives are fast becoming headline issues—yet most disclosure frameworks don’t adequately address them. Our guide urges companies to start mapping and mitigating these hidden impacts now, ahead of impending regulation.
6. Action starts with insight.
CDP’s Plastics Module isn’t just a reporting tool—it’s a launchpad. That’s why we developed the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Action Framework (PAF), which aligns with the CDP module. The PAF supports organizations to prioritize high-impact interventions based on their unique footprint and targets, similar to the Net Zero initiative for carbon.
Let’s continue this together
We invite you to explore the guide (available for download here), share it with your networks, and connect with us as we support companies on this journey.
After reading, we hope you are inspired to:
- Dive deeper into plastic footprinting and leakage – check out the comprehensive Plastic Footprint Network resources for more.
- Get granular on end-of-life pathways for your plastics, using tools like Plasteax or internally collected data.
- Set actionable targets based on the latest science and ambition.Link targets to action, with tons of inspiration and guidelines in the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Action Framework (PAF).
- Consider both circularity and plastic footprinting, to ensure a holistic perspective on your emissions and strategies.
- And of course, reach out if you want support or a tailor-made strategy.
From disclosure to deep-dives, Earth Action is here to help turn insight into impact.
